Yellowstone > Little Bighorn or Bighorns > Devil's Tower

I made the trip from Bridge Bay to Devil's Tower in 2005, We left Bridge Bay early to beat the traffic at the east entrance construction and was sitting waitingon our turn at 8am. Made a quick stop for groceries in Cody then took Hwy 16 over the Bighorns. We arrived in Buffalo about 5pm for a night at the KOA. Next morning, we still had about 2.5 hours drive to Devil's Tower. We spent about 4 hours there before making Custer around 6pm. Don't think I would like driving straight through to Devil's Tower in one day, much less trying to stop and see anything.

Distance over the Bighorns takes longer than maps suggest because going up its 30-35 mph because of the grade, then down it's about the same because you need to down shift to have brakes at the bottom.

If you are into history, I would suggest the battlefield. Would also try to add a day in between to give time to see some things.

The bighorns were wonderful driving through them, but after being in Yellowstone, they didn't seem near as grandeur as they would be coming from the east. Especially with only doing a drive-through.

Wonderful advice and factors to consider everyone. Sorry I wasn't clearer about destination... We are leaving Fishing Bridge in the morning with Devil's Tower KOA reservations that night, then on to Rushmore/Custer/Badlands the next few days. I just can't decide whether to do Bighorns or Battlefield. I saw both growing up (last time in my teens) but the family hasn't seen either one. I doubt we'll make the trip again before the kids are gone, so all this info helps. Thank you!

Lots of great advice here. Like many others, I also say it's up to you. If you enjoy history, definitely don't miss Little Bighorn. Interestingly, tours will vary in emphasis, depending on which ranger gives the one you're on - don't miss their talks in the visitor center. You're guaranteed to learn something you didn't know, no matter who does the presentation. Devils Tower is amazing; if you haven't seen it, go. The KOA as a CG is decent enough, but you can't beat the scenery - it's right at the foot of the tower. Good spot for an overnight & visiting the tower.

As for leaving the park, the only flat way to leave is west entrance, and that may have been why you read about it. East entrance would be my second favorite, and going north from Cody to connect to I-90 is a good route, nothing steep, and pretty scenic.

I can't see any reason to go out via the West Yellowstone entrance to go East. If not wanting to do the Cody Route, I'd use the North Exit by Mammoth to the interstate then East. US 89 to I-90.

We drove by Pompey's Pillar not knowing what it was in 2009, about 25 miles east of Billings, Montana, on our way to Yellowstone. "It bears the only remaining physical evidence of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, which appears on the trail today as it did 200 years ago. On the face of the 150-foot butte, Captain William Clark carved his name on July 25, 1806, during his return to the United States through the beautiful Yellowstone Valley." Might be worth a stop, if time allows.

Cody Route is doable....some climbing then descent into Cody, then some`climbing & then descenting to get to the interstate by Sheridan.

If you do make it to Cody, try to see the Buffalo Bill Historical Center with Five Museums Under One Roof. http://www.bbhc.org/

These 4 were really great:
Buffalo Bill Museum
Whitney Gallery of Western Art
Plains Indian Museum
Cody Firearms Museum

The Cody Chamber of Commerce has a nice Visitor Center (full of information) & with a really nice art gallery.
http://codychamber.org/visitorcenter.html

On our 2nd trip to Yellowstone, we went up to Mt. Rushmore & Black Hills, then went to Yellowstone via Cody, WY. Stopped by Devil's Tower & detoured up to see the Little Big Horn Battlefield on the way to Cody. We Exited via Mammoth on our first trip. We enter that route in 2009 & exited via Cody. Not as much climbing as via Cody.

We've gone by Thermopolis, WY twice to do a soak in the hot spring water at the State Bath House. Very neat. We over nighted in the Wind River Canyon in Aug '09 & at one of the Boysen State Park campgrounds by the lake some years ago. But each time, we had already gone to Yellowstone, before stopping.

thermopolis.com/todo/hot-springs-state-park/

This old post has a couple photos of the Fishing Bridge to Cody Route: Clicky. Photos at the end of report.

As for which to see if can't do both...hard to say. As someone mentioned, you can do each of them in a somewhat drive by manner.

We did Devil's Tower that way the first time there. Did an overnight by the interstate & dove up gave it a look, then returned to the campground. We didn't stay a very long time at the Battlefield, but drove the loop & stopped to see the sights, read about each stop & visited the visitor center. Then on our way.

It might make more sense to go out the Mammoth route if going to the Battlefield. It would be on the way to the Tower, etc.

We drove up to the Battlefield, then returned to Sheridan.

Seems, if I am remembering correctly, one can go from Cody to Buffalo as well. Missing Sheridan completely, if not going to the Battlefield. I believe it is somewhat less climbing that route.

We road our bikes from the KOA all the way up to the tower. Whew! About killed us. But the ride back was a thrill. Didn't have to pedal and rolled back going the speed limit. Even passed a couple of slow cars. :)

The devils tower is one of my favorite places. Both routes are good.

Mountain Directory West is a good resource for such questions.

Your call, but the battlefield and the tower are both interesting and not to be missed, imo. Sounds like you've already crossed the Bighorns? Not that you shouldn't do that again. Like I said, your call. Happy trails!

We left Yellowstone and went to the Little Bighorn National Mounument and Devils Tower on the way to Deadwood and we loved the trip.

I'd go west from Tower Junction, head for Billings on 212. See the little Big Horn Battlefield for a few hours and head for Devils Monument the same day on 212. If you are talking about the Cody route and thru the Big Horn Mts its only 52 miles north on I90 to the Custer battlefield and from there 212 will take you to Devils Tower. Nice KOA right at the base. From the Tower you are right at I90 for the trip home. Four hours is enough at the battlefield and Devils Tower is a matter of see it, take a few pics and be on your way early the next morning. Its doable in one day. Sun set is pretty late that time of year.